Residents of Haitian Descent 'Stateless' in Dominican Republic

Representatives from Jesuit Refugee Services in the Dominican Republic have accused the government of nullifying nearly 1,600 birth certificates belonging to residents of Haitian descent. An investigation by J.R.S. found that 72 percent of those affected by the government’s moves are between 15 and 30 years old and are now unable to find a job, open a bank account or enroll in school. Forty-eight percent also have been unable to register their children as Dominican citizens. The denationalization policy is stripping thousands of Dominicans of Haitian descent of their previously established citizenship, denying them access to their existing identity documents and effectively rendering their children and future generations stateless.